House looks to move forward on state flood relief

Haley said solving that issue cut the number of people without access to clean water from their taps from 122,000 to 45,000. Haley said those numbers have declined as people are rotated out.

“Mississippi is uniquely qualified to assist South Carolina because of our staff’s vast disaster response and recovery knowledge and experience”, MEMA executive director Robert Latham said.

More than 17 inches of rain fell in less than 24 hours in a few areas of Columbia, making it the worst flooding many had ever encountered in South Carolina’s capital city.

Almost 50,000 people have registered with FEMA for flood damage assistance, and $23 million has been approved for disbursement, she said in the update. It now has 29 assessment teams working in 11 counties across the state.

As South Carolina residents work to recover from a disastrous flood, help is coming from Mississippi.

They may be doing the right thing, but, just in case, you may want to write a check made out to the organization, never to a person or err on the side of caution.

Haley thanked donors who have provided water, peanut butter and baby supplies after hearing of those immediate needs.

Haley said any companies or businesses interested in donating a larger amount of money with which the state could purchase these items should call (888) 585-9643.

Haley was asked at a news conference Wednesday about House Speaker Jay Lucas’ call for hearings in the Ways and Means Committee to deal with potential costs of the flooding.

“This recovery is going to go on for months”, said Lightheart.

Among the information the Governor highlighted: road closings are down to 281 from 541, which is a 48% decrease; all interstate highways are now open.

The SDHEC oversees all inspections of dams in the state and had repeatedly cited most of the dams that failed in state inspection reports over the last several years, according to records released Monday evening by state officials. She says guard members have also helped fix the Columbia Canal and Columbia’s drinking water system.